in the Carpati Mountains

[LaurentiuB]

In weekend I was in the mountains (Carpati Mountains, near Bran Castle), I took some pictures but I like only few of them.
So, I chose 2 for your critique:

http://images2.fotopic.net/?iid=yffq7q&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
1/1000 F6.3 Focal Lenght 6 mm

http://images2.fotopic.net/?iid=yffq7h&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
1/160 F8 Focal Lenght 6mm

[Warman]

Dont like the first shot. Light is too harsh creating a deep contrast between shadows and highlights. U would realy need a GND filter for this kind of shot. As to composition, it is so so with too many distractions in the foreground and background lacking a real anchor to catch the eye or dynamism to make it interesting. Looks more like a camera test shot than like you were realy trying to make a capture.

Second shot is nice, light is ok and although there is a little haze, you could easily correct that in post processing. Composition is good and interesting how the slope is providing dynamism to the capture. Light levels clearly separating background and foreground so, good job on that too. I might have panned this a little to the right as that leftmost patch of green grass is sort of ditracting. All in all a very nice capture and i just wonder what a marvelous capture it would be had you a GND to expose the sky in detail.

[leehal]

On the first one I like the fact that you can tell where the sun is behind the clouds and see some of the rays, the tree in the middle looks a little lank and out of focus though.

2nd shot is good, like Warman says it would be better panned to the right (wouldn't have thought of that myself :? )

[flowe]

I agree with Warman and leehal: the first pic doesn't appeal to me too - but the second one does, and I agree with most arguments. I really love this type of landscape, in reality and in photography.

My reservation: The shot is woolly and therefore withholds a lot of its real quality. I've taken the 800x600 web picture and sharpened it *very* reluctantly, to avoid any possible "over sharpening". For my taste, I would have done more to it. Now look at the result (download 2x 70KB - Javascript enabled):
http://homepage.hispeed.ch/flowe/digifoto/roro_06.htm

The picture now almost gives a 3D impression. It invites the eye to investigate all the details, eg. the trees in the center, the rocky face of the mountain, the buildings, the horizon etc.

The suggested panning to the right seems not to be that benefical any more, since the green grass area shows more structure and variability of green, and the trees on top of it are part of the balance. The bow/arc between the green and yellowish grass appears to me as a very apt complement to the profile of the rocky mountain.

So to conclude: even here, with the scaled down pictures, it appears to me as important to make the best of it - and sharpening obviously does a lot of good. With the original file, the effect would be multiplied.

[LaurentiuB]

Thank you for all your replies.
Yes, looks incredible after postprocesing, I can't imagine what you can do more.
So, is necessary to learn PS.

[flowe]

So, is necessary to learn PS.

Hmm - not *that* necessary...

PS is the top industrial standard picture editor with a vast professional knowlegde base and appropriate price tag. And almost everybody here and elswhere talks PS, because it's prestigious and they probably own, know and use it successfully too. Reading all that "PS speak" could sometimes and quite wrongly lead to a mild inferiority complex. But many people agree that PS is not too handy and an overkill for amateur purposes.

There are half a dozen *very* suitable alternatives, all costing about 1/10 and serving the photo hobbyist beautifully. I myself use Paint Shop Pro v.8.10 - look for www.jasc.com. There is a big knowledge base too, either as very decent built in help, on the JASC web site, from most dedicated and friendly users, or available as books.

Regarding sharpening, PSP has an edge over PS, since the stand alone Windows application SharpControl nicely cooperates with PSP, but not with PS - for whatever reason... SharpControl is more efficient and usable than the standard USM sharpening as integrated in all editors.

For more about sharpening etc go here (http://homepage.hispeed.ch/flowe/digifoto/).

Enjoy!
flowe

[LaurentiuB]

:) You have right, everybody talk about PS, and I thought that maybe they have a good reson.
I know about PSP, in fact I have PSP 8, as well, and it more friendly than PS.
But you are agree that it is usefull to use either PS or PSP.